Biography
Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor is one of the best young roots-reggae producers in Jamaica. He have worked with some of the best people in the business as young producer that’s an excellent resume he is developing and he is building it day by day by becoming stronger and stronger in his field. Along with producing he makes his own beats and he is also very good at song writing which he have prove himself in songs by Gyptian, Etana, Nesbeth, Richie Spice and Lutan Fyah, Gramps Morgan, just to name a few and he have have worked with all the major artist like Beres Hammond, Freddie McGregor, Wayne Wonder, Maxi Priest, Richie Stephens, Marcia Griffiths, Glen Washington, Coco Tea, Jah Cure, I-Wayne, Alborosie, Ziggi, Gramps Morgan, Peter Morgan, Chuck Fenda, Capleton, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Barrington Levy, He is also the Chief Executive Officer of his own record company No Doubt Records.
He was born in Kingston 7 community and grew up in Montego Bay where he was exposed to a myriad of musical influences. After graduating, he became a disc jockey playing at Pier 1 Night club in Montego Bay, along with playing with fellow selectors-turned-disc jocks DJ Liquid and DJ Wayne. Where he got his name “Flava” is from DJ Liquid that says the way he plays and blend the music together like a perfect flava and so the name sticks with him to this day.
He eventually went to school in Germany to study engineering, a skill that would later prove quite useful when he set up his own personal studio. He began producing songs in 1999, scoring his first hit with Turbulence’s ‘Name and Number’ in early 2000. He produced Sizzla’s album ‘Speak of Jah’ and Brighter Day, Anthony B album ‘Smoke Free’, Luciano album ‘Upright’ which was the album of the month on the German reggae charts in the year 2001. He has show case his talents by putting out more than 20 albums in Europe which have done very well. He then decided to go on his own and do his own thing so he release Triumphant riddim in which he put his major hit ‘Mama Don’t Cry’ by Gyptian. He produced Gyptian’s album, ‘My Name Is Gyptian’ which spawned the singer’s second major hit, ‘Mama Don’t Cry’ on the triumphant rhythm in 2006. There has been so much praise and hype surrounding the release of…Mama… by rising reggae roots artist Gyptian such a huge buzz has resonated in reggae circles that it compelled producer Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor to enlist more artists on his Triumphant rhythm. Triumphant is in the one-drop vein with emphasis on live instruments a heavy baseline weaving through Nyabinghi drums courtesy of musicians Axe Man, Bongo Herman and Carlington Morrison. The real key to Triumphant is the line up of some of Jamaica’s finest roots artists that have emerged and are holding their own with heavy radio airplay and their singles was dominating the charts in Jamaica. Kemar “Flava” Mcgregor have hit it big again on the Trumpet riddim with Nesbeth single ‘Board House’, Luthan Fyah ‘Is it Love’
His 83 rhythm formed the soundtrack for the country in the dying numbers of 2007 where Queen Ifrica’s stirring rebuke, ‘Daddy Don’t Touch Me There’ and Richie Spice ‘A No Me That’ and I-Octane ‘Proverty’. Flava has continued on his excellent form as his follow-up project, the Rub-a-Dub rhythm spawned hits for Etana ‘I am not Afriad’, Richie Spice ‘De Plane Land’, Nesbeth ‘Guns Out’ ,Morgan Heritage ‘Nothing to Smile About’, and Capleton ‘Same old Story’ which is getting heavy radio play both in Jamaica and abroad which people commented and said its been a while since they have seen such talents and dedication to roots reggae which is a forgotten art form which requires patience, love and great technical skill. It is also been criticized as one of the best riddim ever been release it featuring some really good roots artist who also give the riddim a more meaningful and conscious vibe.
Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor have made his brand as the number one roots producer in Jamaica right now and continues to strive on being the best. He is the first roots producer to dominate the New York top 30 charts and South Florida top 20 charts at one time by having 6 songs on both of them. He have produced songs for some of the hottest artist in roots reggae right now which have release album and also will be releasing album soon. On his roster he has Richie Spice album, ‘Gideon Boot’, Etana album ‘Strong One’, Morgan Heritage album ‘Mission in Progress’, and Gyptian album ‘I can Feel your Pain’, Beres Hammond ‘Moment In Time’, Fanton Mojah ‘ Stronger’, Queen Ifrica ‘Montego Bay’, Truimphant Riddim, Trumphet Riddim, Key Riddim, Flute Riddim , 83 Riddim, Rub a Dub Riddim, Drop It Riddim, Rocksteady Riddim, Sweet Riddim, Ghetto Riddim, Classic Riddim and Chuck Fenda album ‘Fulfillment’ he also have produced songs on Vp Strictly the Best, Reggae Gold and Greensleeves Reggae One Drop Anthem and he can also proudly say that since he have been in this business he have produce for all the major reggae record labels around.
Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor have been nominated in numerous awards category for the year 2008 for his excellent work and dedication to Reggae music which he received two awards for REGGAE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (2008) and REGGAE RIDDIM OF THE YEAR (2008)- RUB –A-DUB RIDDIM. He also has been nominated for Reggae Producer of the year for the New York IRAMA Awards show and recently was nominated for Reggae Producer of the year in the JOE HIBBS MUSIC AWARDS (JHMA), which he came out on top again as receiving the award for Producer of the year. Kemar Flava McGregor can truly say that his journey in reggae music continues.
